Our Nation under God will be the land of the free as long as it is the home of the brave. On November 11th a day that has been set aside for us to honor all veterans who served their country and were willing to lay down their lives so we the people could live in a free America.
I am proud to say that I have two children who served their country, my daughter Rebecca who joined the Navy and served her country for eight years, and my son Tony who served his country for four in the Navy as well. Fortunately they never saw any action, however they were ready, willing and able to defend the great USA if they were needed.
My husband served his country in the USMC during the Vietnam War in Khe Sanh. He like many of our men who returned home were spat upon and called "baby Killers" words that cut him like a hot iron. He suffered from PTSD and what is called survivors guilt. He cried often with me asking "why me?" "Why did I survive and not my boys?" I had no answer. He went for counseling for years and years and only recently found a counselor who cared and helped him.
He was startled with fire works yet he attended with me each and every year here in Harmony when they were at the Harmony Free Fair. Now that Maine has legal fireworks there were times when neighbors would set them off unexpectedly and he would tighten up, friends saw that at his home on July 4th when we held a celebration of America's birthday with friends.
He suffered from agent orange and various cancers but he never complained, only those closest to him and cared about him knew, those being his wife. He suffered in silence and told me many times, "I would do it all over again honey, only different this time and my boys would come with me."
We have many Veterans in our town of Harmony and all over our state, so take a moment and thank them, they will look startled when you say it, for it is not done enough, but when they get home and they think about it, they will feel honored, how do I know? I saw it once when Bill and I were out and this man walked up to him and thanked him for his service and yes Bill was taken aback, but as the man extended his hand Bill gave him his, and Bill being Bill said, "you are welcome my friend." They both felt great.
So thank you Becky, Tony, Bill, Victor my nephew who serves today, Josh, my son in law who is serving and Justin, for your service. Because of you and your many sacrifices we live in a free America.
Veterans Day a day we honor our men and woman and animals who served their country.
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